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Our verdict on Red Mars: Mostly great, with a few quibbles Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:00:46 +0100 The New Scientist Book Club read Kim Stanley Robinson's acclaimed science fiction story about the first settlers on Mars in April – and had a lot to say about it

Ann Leckie continues to shine with new sci-fi novel Radiant Star Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0100 Set on a planet whose population lives underground, Radiant Star is Ann Leckie's latest Radch-universe novel. Its rich characterisation and meticulous world-building shine through, says our science-fiction columnist Emily H. Wilson

2026 will be the hottest year on record, leading scientist predicts Fri, 01 May 2026 18:24:54 +0100 The second half of this year will almost certainly see the start of an El Niño phase that could lead to extreme heat across much of the globe, and James Hansen expects that to make this year surpass 2024 as the hottest on record

Why the keto diet could be a revolutionary way to treat mental illness Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:00:03 +0100 You may think of the high-fat, low-carb eating plan as a faddish way to lose weight. But the keto diet is now being used to tackle conditions from severe depression to bipolar disorder and anorexia, with transformative results

NHS England rushes to hide software over AI hacking fears Fri, 01 May 2026 13:32:04 +0100 National Health Service rules state that all software created with public money should be publicly available, but fears of computer-hacking AI models like Mythos have prompted a change in policy

The 4 biggest myths about hydration, according to an expert Fri, 01 May 2026 13:00:28 +0100 Should you really be drinking eight glasses of water a day? What about reaching for a sports drink after exercise? Physiologist Tamara Hew-Butler is here to bust these hydration myths and more.

Oak trees use delaying tactics to thwart hungry caterpillars Fri, 01 May 2026 11:00:50 +0100 An infestation of caterpillars can make an oak tree postpone when it opens its leaves next year by three days, wrong-footing the insects when they attack again

Why I explore our inevitable love for robots in my novel Luminous Fri, 01 May 2026 10:35:41 +0100 Silvia Park, author of the May read for the New Scientist Book Club, reveals how a book that was originally intended to be for children took a darker route following a death in the family

Read an extract from Luminous by Silvia Park Fri, 01 May 2026 10:35:05 +0100 In this extract from Luminous, the May read for the New Scientist Book Club, we meet a mysterious robot discovered in a salvage yard in Seoul, in a future reunified Korea

Will Colombia summit kick-start the end of the fossil fuel era? Fri, 01 May 2026 10:58:36 +0100 With progress at COP climate meetings stalling, 57 countries took part in the first of a new series of conferences aiming to develop roadmaps away from fossil fuels, but big emitters like China and the US were absent

The rings of Uranus are even stranger than we thought Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:01 +0100 Uranus’s outermost two rings are surprisingly dissimilar, which opens up a mystery about the tiny moons and moonlets that form them

An unorthodox version of quantum theory could reveal what reality is Fri, 01 May 2026 07:00:38 +0100 The implications of quantum mechanics suggest reality isn't as solid as we think it is, but physicist David Bohm had a spin on the theory that restores reality. Columnist Karmela Padavic-Callaghan explores how we could test Bohmian mechanics – and if it will ever become more widely accepted

'Green' cryptocurrency uses 18 times more energy than makers claim Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:00:45 +0100 A cryptocurrency that aims to avoid the disastrous energy consumption of bitcoin is actually using 18 times more energy than its makers claim – but it promises improvements are on the way

Your oral microbiome could affect your weight, liver and diabetes risk Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:00:53 +0100 An ambitious study has explored how the oral microbiome may affect our metabolic health, raising hopes that conditions like pre-diabetes could one day be screened for via a simple mouth swab

We have figured out a new way to send messages into the past Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:00:05 +0100 A technique inspired by the film Interstellar suggests a new way of communicating backwards in time, but it could help improve conventional communication systems as well

Human heads have changed shape a lot in the past 100 years Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:00:54 +0100 Since the early 20th century, people’s skulls have got rounder and their jaws have got wider, probably because of changes in health, diet and environment

Doubts cast over 'wild' claim that magnetic control can turn on genes Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:00:48 +0100 Researchers in South Korea say they have made a major advance by turning on genes with an electromagnetic signal, but critics say the claims are implausible and the paper is flawed

The best new science fiction books of May 2026 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:00:43 +0100 New science fiction from big names including Ann Leckie, Alan Moore and Martha Wells are just some of the exciting crop of titles out this month

The rich but complicated legacy of genome pioneer Craig Venter Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:54:04 +0100 Craig Venter has died aged 79. He was at the forefront of sequencing the human genome and of synthetic biology, but divided opinion in how he went about it

Thought-provoking photographs capture what it feels like to have ADHD Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:00:07 +0100 These unusual images were created by visual artist Daniel Regan by submerging Polaroid photographs in his ADHD medication, to represent his experiences with the condition through art

Is an AI version of Mark Zuckerberg – or any boss – a good plan? Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0100 Feedback has learned that, according to reports, Meta is building an AI version of Mark Zuckerberg to interact with staff. Feedback hopes this doesn't become a trend

Simple treatment tweak drastically reduces blood loss from severe cuts Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:25:02 +0100 A procedure that could be done in half an hour, and prepared ahead of time, could seriously reduce blood loss from severe wounds, such as during surgery

Weird 'transdimensional' state of matter is neither 2D nor 3D Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:00:37 +0100 An experiment with a carbon material in a magnetic field has revealed a novel way for electrons to move, which doesn't fully belong in two or three spatial dimensions

The chips in your phone are probably broken – and that's a good thing Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:00:50 +0100 Reports suggest that Apple is using defective chips originally destined for high-end devices to create its latest affordable laptop. Reusing partially broken chips is common practice for all device makers and produces less waste

Scorpions reinforce their claws and stingers with metals Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:18:32 +0100 Many scorpion species use blends of iron, zinc and manganese to enhance the toughness of their deadly weaponry

Extreme weather in 2025 drove record wildfire emissions in Europe Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:53:56 +0100 Europe, the fastest-warming continent, saw unprecedented wildfires and heatwaves in 2025, including a three-week hot spell that hit 30°C inside the Arctic circle

Cancer is increasing in young people and we still don't know why Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:30:36 +0100 Obesity might be to blame for part of the increase in cancer among young people, a study in the UK has found, but the causes largely remain a mystery

Gamblers are betting millions of dollars on measles outbreaks Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:00:56 +0100 People are increasingly placing bets that predict measles outbreaks in the US, which could help researchers modelling the spread of the disease

Humanoid robots may be about to break the 100-metre sprint record Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:00:26 +0100 Robots can now run a half-marathon faster than humans and are rapidly homing in on the men's 100-metre sprint record. But why are companies so keen to create speedy robots that have no obvious application in homes or factories?

How I pay almost nothing to power my house and electric car Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:00:25 +0100 The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz has seen energy prices soar, but Alice Klein pays just A$25 (£13) a month for her electricity, even when charging an electric car or running an air conditioner.

Coral reefs on a remote archipelago shrugged off a massive heatwave Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:00:58 +0100 Scientists were shocked to find that the Houtman Abrolhos Islands’ coral reefs survived a prolonged extreme heatwave in 2025 virtually unharmed, which may reveal how to protect corals elsewhere

We may finally have a cure for many different autoimmune conditions Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:02 +0100 A revolutionary cancer treatment is now being applied to a wide range of autoimmune disorders. Columnist Michael Le Page finds it is proving to be even more effective than expected

Giant Arctic continent launched dinosaurs to world domination Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:00:57 +0100 Coincident with the rise of the dinosaurs, a large landmass filled most of the Arctic circle, potentially contributing to global cooling that advantaged the famous reptiles

10,000 new planets found hidden in NASA telescope data Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:00:48 +0100 NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite has been searching for exoplanets since its launch in 2018, and it turns out it may have found plenty more of them than we had thought

Why your opinion of used electric vehicles is probably wrong Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0100 The idea that EV batteries age poorly is a misconception – and a new report has found they often outlive the cars themselves

How your heart rate variability can offer an insight into your mind Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:00:42 +0100 Smartwatches commonly use heart rate variability to monitor stress. Columnist Helen Thomson explores what this metric actually tells us, and whether it could also predict and diagnose depression – and help improve your mental health more generally

100-year-old assumption about the universe may soon be overturned Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:00:31 +0100 Physicists have long assumed that the universe is uniform at very large scales, but evidence is emerging this is wrong and suggests a way to resolve some of the biggest cosmological mysteries

We need more radioactive drugs. Can we make them from nuclear waste? Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:00:58 +0100 The rise of a new generation of radiotherapies means we will soon need much greater quantities of radioactive atoms. That's why companies are scrambling to refine them from all manner of radioactive waste

Why the right kind of stress is crucial for your health and happiness Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:00:47 +0100 Stress is linked to many of our biggest killers, but a growing body of research suggests that certain types can sharpen the mind and strengthen the body. Here’s how to find your perfect dose

This mesmerising Cornish time-travel film is not to be missed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0100 A seaside town is devastated when a small fishing boat, the Rose of Nevada, disappears at sea. Thirty years later, the boat reappears in the harbour and sets off a moving story, says Bethan Ackerley

Gravity's strength measured more reliably than ever before Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:00:34 +0100 Measuring the strength of gravity is extraordinarily difficult, and different experiments have always disagreed – but a new test is paving the way to finally understanding nature’s most enigmatic force

Symptoms of early dementia reversed by bespoke treatment plans Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:33:58 +0100 People with cognitive decline or early-stage dementia saw their symptoms improve when given bespoke treatment plans that targeted their personal nutritional deficiencies, ongoing infections and environmental exposures

QBox theory may offer glimpse of reality deeper than quantum realm Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:00:12 +0100 Physicists have long suspected that there is a layer of physical reality beneath quantum theory and a new mathematical model unveils just how strange it might be

New Scientist recommends Jeff Beal’s New York Études, Vol. II Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:00:29 +0100 The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

Largest-ever octopus was great white shark of invertebrate predators Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:00:12 +0100 During the Cretaceous, 19-metre-long predatory octopuses swam the seas, and evidence from their fossilised remains suggest they may have been highly intelligent hunters

Is stem cell therapy about to transform medicine and reverse ageing? Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:00:12 +0100 A clinical trial to reverse age-related vision conditions using stem cell treatment could finally deliver on the promise of a major discovery in ageing and regeneration made 20 years ago, says columnist Graham Lawton

Striking photo essay examines deadly spread of dengue fever in Nepal Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:00:48 +0100 Photographer Yuri Segalerba explores how dengue has spread to Nepal's Himalayan districts, and how locals are fighting back

Do you need to worry about Mythos, Anthropic's computer-hacking AI? Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:00:34 +0100 A powerful AI kept from public access because of its ability to hack computers with impunity is making headlines around the world. But what is Mythos, does it really represent a risk and might it even be used to improve cybersecurity?

Exercise advice for long covid may be doing more harm than good Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:23:29 +0100 Exercise has been touted as a tool for managing and treating long covid, but much of the evidence has neglected one of its most debilitating symptoms: post-exertional malaise

Catching a cold can delay cancer from spreading to the lungs Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:00:20 +0100 Infecting mice with RSV, a common virus that causes cold-like symptoms, prevented breast cancer cells from reaching their lungs. This was due to the release of proteins that stop viruses from replicating in the lungs also making it harder for cancer cells to seed new tumours

Huge study reveals how Epstein-Barr virus may cause multiple sclerosis Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:00:39 +0100 The Epstein-Barr virus seems to affect gene expression and cell signalling in a way that causes the autoimmune condition multiple sclerosis

How many dachshunds would it take to get to the moon? Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0100 Feedback, always on the hunt for absurd units of measurement, is delighted by recent attempts to convey the 406,771 kilometres that the Artemis II crew travelled from Earth

Can you slow ageing with your diet? A new book gives it a go Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0100 Discovering he is getting old before his time, David Cox tries to lower his biological age by changing his diet in a helpful new book, The Age Code, says Graham Lawton

98 per cent of meat and dairy sustainability pledges are greenwashing Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:00:42 +0100 The food industry has made big promises to reduce emissions and become more sustainable, but a review concludes that many of the pledges are not backed up by evidence

Table tennis-playing robot on track to becoming world champion Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:00:19 +0100 A robot built by Sony AI is rapidly learning how to beat the world's very best table tennis players

Fermat's Last Theorem: still a must-read about a 350-year maths secret Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:00:36 +0100 Simon Singh's exploration of mathematical proof – in particular Pierre de Fermat's last theorem – remains an absolute treasure, almost three decades after it was first published

If a bird flu pandemic starts, we may have an mRNA vaccine ready Wed, 22 Apr 2026 01:01:21 +0100 A final-stage trial has started of an mRNA vaccine against the bird flu strain infecting many animals – and occasionally people – worldwide

Titan’s strange plains may be explained by unusual weather Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:00:44 +0100 Most of Titan’s surface is oddly flat and smooth, and it may be because it is coated by as much as a metre of fluffy organic material that snowed down from the icy moon’s thick atmosphere

The monstrous number sequences that break the rules of mathematics Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:00:07 +0100 Some seemingly simple sequences of multiplication and addition grow so quickly that they question the very foundations of mathematics. In doing so, they demand a whole new level of logic

Game theory explains why the US's goals in Iran keep changing Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:57:39 +0100 The ongoing conflict around the Strait of Hormuz has become a situation in game theory known as a war of attrition. The maths behind it can help explain what's going on, says Petros Sekeris

We might finally know how to use quantum computers to boost AI Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:00:52 +0100 Pushing against years of scepticism, an analysis suggests quantum computers may offer real advantages for running machine learning and similar algorithms in the near future

A whole new way to prevent death from sepsis shows promise Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:00:05 +0100 Filtering a protein that may cause sepsis out from the blood has shown promising signs for improving survival

Diamonds are surprisingly elastic when you make them tiny Mon, 20 Apr 2026 22:00:37 +0100 Experiment with nanodiamonds reveals that they are less rigid than other diamonds, adding to our understanding of how they could be used in new technologies

Can we ‘vaccinate’ ourselves against stress? Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:00:59 +0100 A traditional vaccine primes the immune system to build better defences. Researchers think we can do something similar to increase our resilience to the pressures and worries of life

Parrot uses his broken beak to become a dominant male Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:00:13 +0100 An injured kea with just half a beak has used what's left as a weapon that gives him dominance over a captive colony of the birds

Can you determine your personalised stress score? Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0100 “I’m stressed” is a phrase that many of us use, but now there are ways to shed light on how stressed you actually are

The biggest threat to Chernobyl is no longer radiation Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:00:11 +0100 Forty years after the world’s biggest nuclear disaster, the safety of Chernobyl hangs in the balance – though not because of the radiation risk

Brushing your teeth in hospital could prevent catching a bad infection Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:01:43 +0100 Most hospital patients don't brush their teeth regularly, but doing so could cut their risk of developing pneumonia during their stay

Beef is making a comeback – does it fit into a healthy diet? Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:41:02 +0100 The protein craze is in full swing and beef consumption is on the rise, particularly in the US, where health agencies are promoting red meat as part of an optimum diet. So, how much beef should we really be eating, and how does it impact our well-being?

How autoimmune conditions can unexpectedly drive mental illness Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:00:08 +0100 Antibodies mistakenly attacking the brain are linked with conditions including schizophrenia, dementia and OCD, prompting a revolution in how we think about mental health conditions

Werner Herzog searches for ghost elephants in stunning new documentary Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:00:19 +0100 A film about the quest for “ghost elephants” is as much about not knowing and asking the right questions as about exploration, finds Davide Abbatescianni

Electric vehicle owners could earn thousands by supporting power grid Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:00:54 +0100 Electric vehicles could store renewable energy when there is excess supply and give it back to the grid when demand peaks, but car companies disagree on the best way to do that

Exclusive report: Inside Chernobyl, 40 years after nuclear disaster Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:00:01 +0100 New Scientist reporter Matthew Sparkes secured unrivalled access to Chernobyl's most crucial scientific sites, where researchers are fighting to protect the area and ensure it remains safe amid the constant threat of attack from Russia

New Scientist recommends Jamie Bartlett's insightful How to Talk to AI Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:00:38 +0100 The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week

Why is it so hard to change your mind? Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:00:34 +0100 Changing your opinion can be difficult, and it’s sometimes even seen as a flaw. But research shows being open-minded has a host of benefits. Columnist David Robson finds there are a few simple ways to encourage yourself to withstand the discomfort that gets in the way of mental flexibility

The rise, the fall and the rebound of cyclic cosmology Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0100 Cyclic cosmology, or the big bounce, is the idea that the universe will eventually crunch back together and then go through another big bang. Columnist Leah Crane finds that, appropriately, it’s coming back

Startling images show how fake news isn't just a 21st century issue Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:00:13 +0100 From huge geese to flying cars, these photographs from a new exhibition at the Rijksmuseum reveal how we have been manipulating images for over a century

Our dreams become more emotive and symbolic as we approach death Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:09 +0100 People who are terminally ill are commonly reunited with lost loved ones in their dreams and have visions of doors, stairways and light, which are said to help them accept the dying process

How to spot the Lyrid meteor shower tonight Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:24:32 +0100 The Lyrid meteor shower will soon hit its peak. Here's how to spot it, including by using the New Scientist stargazing companion

Neanderthal infants were enormous compared with modern humans Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:00:13 +0100 A detailed analysis of the best-preserved Neanderthal infant skeleton ever found suggests that our ancient relatives grew much faster as young children

What to read this week: Emma Chapman's mind-expanding Radio Universe Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:00:40 +0100 An imaginative and compelling book reveals how radio waves help us tune in to our universe – and even search for alien civilisations, says Karmela Padavic-Callaghan

Why cloning anyone – even Jim Carrey – isn't the best plan ever Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:00:20 +0100 Feedback discovers that a conspiracy theory has formed that various celebrities have been replaced by clones, and sees just a few small problems with the idea

People are refusing transfusions from donors vaccinated against covid Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:24:25 +0100 Patients are requesting that blood transfusions come from people who they know have not been vaccinated against covid-19, which can cause dangerous delays

Monkeys walk around a virtual world using only their thoughts Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:00:42 +0100 Monkeys with around 300 electrodes implanted in their brain were able to steer avatars around different virtual environments

Largest ever map of universe captures 47 million galaxies and quasars Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:00:45 +0100 The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has finished the most detailed survey of the universe to date, and the resulting map will help researchers understand an apparent weakening of dark energy

Quantum computers could usher in a crisis worse than Y2K Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:00:12 +0100 The day when a quantum computer manages to break common encryption, or Q-Day, is fast approaching, and the world is not close to being ready

Is a super El Niño imminent, and what could the impacts be? Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:00:28 +0100 A planet-warming El Niño climate phase is now developing, and some models predict it could turn out to be the strongest on record

Are Neanderthals descendants of modern humans? Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:24:02 +0100 The gap between genetics and archaeology leaves us with an unclear picture of where the Neanderthals originated. Columnist Michael Marshall details a surprising new hypothesis that suggests they may have come from us

The stunning physics of Project Hail Mary go back to ancient China Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:34:27 +0100 How do you portray momentum in space accurately? Columnist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein takes a look at the origins of our understanding of motion, which runs from Isaac Newton back to the Zhou dynasty a millennia ago

Antioxidant in mushrooms may target uterus cells to ease period pain Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:00:37 +0100 An antioxidant found in certain mushrooms is thought to neutralise damaging molecules in uterine cells that may contribute to period pain

From autism to migraines, birth order may have wide-reaching effects Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:00:10 +0100 A study of more than 10 million siblings suggests that firstborns are more likely to be autistic and have allergies, while conditions like migraine and shingles tend to affect their younger sibling

A key solution to climate change isn't happening – and that's good Mon, 13 Apr 2026 23:00:02 +0100 Removing CO2 from the atmosphere by capturing the carbon from burning biomass is supposed to save the planet, but it looks like the flagship project will never happen

Urban living may be causing big changes to our oestrogen levels Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:00:29 +0100 Some gut bacteria recycle discarded sex hormones, like oestrogens, back into the body. The level of these bacteria seems to be higher in industrialised societies, which could have big implications for our health

We’ve caught a comet switching its spin direction for the first time Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:00:37 +0100 A small comet has been spotted slowing down and then speeding up again – but in the opposite direction, which we have never seen before

My life as a meteorologist in Chernobyl under Russian occupation Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:00:05 +0100 When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Chernobyl lay on the path to the capital Kyiv. When the plant was occupied by Russian troops, meteorologist Lyudmila Dyblenko fearlessly continued taking vital measurements to monitor the nuclear exclusion zone

The man who crawls into the perilous heart of the Chernobyl reactor Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:00:24 +0100 Ever since the Chernobyl nuclear reactor exploded in 1986, scientists have needed to monitor radioactive conditions inside. That job currently falls to Anatoly Doroshenko, who explains the dangers and importance of his work to New Scientist

Collapse of key ocean current may release billions of tonnes of carbon Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:00:44 +0100 If the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation shut down, the knock-on effects could release hundreds of billions of tonnes of CO2, raising global temperatures even further

We urgently need to prepare for quantum computers breaking encryption Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:00:37 +0100 The maths problems that secure your online bank transactions and emails may soon be undermined by quantum technology. It’s imperative we act now, before it’s too late

The secret project to settle controversial maths proof with a computer Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:30:13 +0100 Working in secret for more than two years, a group of mathematicians has set out to resolve one of the longest and most bitter battles in modern mathematics

We're solving the fundamental mystery of how reality is glued together Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:00:03 +0100 For decades, scientists have tried and failed to explain how the force that binds the heart of atoms together really works. But new mathematical tools are finally prising the problem open